The Complete Guide to Snapchat Ad Specs for 2026

To get the best performance from your Snapchat ads and ensure they appear properly across all placements, your ads must comply with the official Snapchat ad specs. These requirements include Snapchat ad sizes, aspect ratios, video length limits, etc. 

For example, in the case of Sponsored Snaps, the accepted file types include .mp4, .mov, .jpg, or .png. And while creating single-image or video ads, your ad headlines should be of up to 34 characters with spaces. 

If you don’t follow these requirements, your ads may be rejected by Snapchat’s platform, appear cropped or blurred to users, or simply perform poorly. 

But don’t worry. To help you avoid these consequences, we have created this guide. 

Through it, we will cover all the Snapchat ad specs, dimensions, file size limits, attachment requirements, and even creative best practices in detail. 

So, shall we begin? 

Quick Overview of Snapchat Ad Specs 

Ad Format	Aspect Ratio	Resolution	Length	File Format	File Size	Key Copy Limits
Sponsored Snaps	9:16	720 x 1280	Up to 180 sec. Recommended under 10 sec	.mp4, .mov, .jpg, .png	Follows Snap limits	Brand 25 chars. Headline 34 chars
Single Image or Video	9:16	1080 x 1920	3 sec to 30 min	.mp4, .mov H.264, .jpg, .png	Video 1 GB. Image 5 MB. Dynamic 6 MB	Brand 32 chars. Headline 34 chars
Story Ads	9:16	1080 x 1920	Up to 180 sec per Snap	.mp4, .mov, .jpg, .png	1 GB video. 2 MB tile image	Tile headline 55 chars. Brand 32 chars
Collection Ads	9:16 main	1080 x 1920 main	Follows Single Video rules	.mp4, .mov, .jpg, .png	Thumbnails 2 MB each	Brand 32 chars. Headline 34 chars
Commercials	9:16	1080 x 1920	3 to 180 sec. First 6 sec non-skippable	.mp4, .mov H.264	1 GB	Brand 32 chars. Headline 34 chars
AR Lenses	Full-screen AR	Camera based	Varies	Built via Lens tools	Platform managed	Visible logo required
AR Filters	Custom canvas	945 x 2048 or 720 x 1560	1 to 3 sec loop for motion	.png or .gif	Static under 300 KB	No direct copy fields

List of All Snapchat Ad Specs (Format-Wise)

1. Sponsored Snaps Specs 

Sponsored Snaps let you engage your audience directly by sending them Snaps they can reply to. 

They are best used when your goal is to drive incremental reach, increase conversions, and connect with a highly engaged, high-intent audience.  

Here are some requirements that you should follow while creating or optimizing Sponsored Snaps: 

1. Your file type should be .mp4, .mov, .jpg, or .png. 
2. The preferred Snapchat aspect ratio for this ad format is 9:16. 
3. The resolution should be 720×1280. 
4. Snapchat recommends keeping the Snap under 10 seconds. 

Snapchat ad copy specs requirements 

1. Brand name can be of up to 25 characters, including spaces. 

Note: Brand name is automatically pulled from your Public profile.

2. Headlines should be of 25-28 characters, with the maximum limit being 34. 

“Message Design” Elements (Which are Optional) 

1. You will need a Branded Chat Background (image, 1080×1920) 
2. A chat message that can be up to 500 characters. 
3. An auto-response, which can be a 500-character text or a video response. 

💡Did you know that brands that use Snapchat Snaps generate 14% more unique pixel conversions and 18% app ad conversions?

2. Snapchat Single-Image or Video Ad Specs

Single-image or video ads are full-screen, vertical mobile ads that you can use for all types of business objectives, ranging from awareness to purchase. Since they are full screen, they ensure that the viewer is always focused on your message (within the ad) and doesn’t get distracted by other content. 

These ads appear between or after different types of content on Snapchat, such as User Stories and Our Stories. Moreover, their length can be up to 30 minutes. 

Single-image or video creatives can be videos, photos, gifs, motion graphics, or even cinemagraphs. 

Design Specifications

1. For a full-screen canvas: 

• The Snapchat dimensions are: 1080 x 1920px.
• Aspect ratio is 9:16. 
• Scaled proportionally to the original asset. 

2. The acceptable creatives include: 

• Live, motion graphic, or even stop motion videos
• Cinemagraph 
• Slideshow 
• Still images 
• Gif-like creatives 

3. Video length limit 

• 3 seconds to 30 minutes (if the file size is less than 1 GB) 
• If you submit a video that is less than 3 seconds, it will be looped to meet the 3-second minimum. 

4. File Format

• Accepted Snapchat video file formats include .mp4 or .mov and H.264 encoded. 
• For images, .jpg or .png (Ads Manager only) 
• Storage Aspect Ratio (SAR): 9:16
• Display Aspect Ratio (DAR): 9:16
• Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR): 1:1

5. File Size

• Videos should be 1 GB or less. 
• Images can be up to 5 MB 
• Dynamic ads, 6 MB or less.

6. Audio 

• Should use 2 channels in a perfect balance 
• Audio target level – 16 LUFS
• PCM or AAC codec 
• 192 minimum kbps 
• Snapchat accepts only 16 or 24-bit

Single-Image or video requirements

1. Photo image requirements

• Image formats can be PNG or JPEG 
• The minimum Snapchat image size for this format is 720 x 1280px. 
• If an image doesn’t meet this size, you can crop it. 
• Required image ratio: 9:16
• File size cannot exceed 5 MB. 

2. Single-image or video requirements

• The brand name should be similar to the advertiser who is paying and whose products or services are being advertised. 
• Brand name and headlines are mandatory. 
• Should be approved for viewing by a 13+ audience 
• If you feature your Sponsored Creative Tool, the ad should include a continuous message throughout and a text overlay with some actionable message like “Unlock Lens” or a tagline from your campaign. 
• You should have the appropriate rights for fonts, emojis, and creative tools you use for the ad.

3. Brand and headline placement 

• Brand name can be up to 32 characters, including spaces. 
• The headline can be up to 34 characters with spaces. 

3. Snapchat Story Ad Specs

Snapchat Story ads enable you to reach users through a sequence of Snaps. They can appear between content or as a branded tile in Discover. Whenever a user taps on the tile, it opens a collection of one to ten images or videos. This format helps you tell a deeper brand story and drive stronger engagement for your brand.

Also, note that Story ad tiles include a Call To Action (CTA) button for App Install and Website Attachment types. These elements basically help to improve overall click-through rates and conversions. 

Tile Asset Deliverables 

1. Logo

• It should be 993 px wide and 284 high and provided as a PNG on a transparent background. 

2. Image

• Snapchat Story dimensions for images include: 360 px x 500 px.
• The file should be provided as a .png file that doesn’t exceed 2 MB in size. 
• There should be a 175 px buffer zone at the top of the image to ensure that it doesn’t conflict with the logo or other key design elements. 

3. Headline

• These can be up to 55 characters with spaces. 
• Your tile image should have an 8-bit or lower depth. 
• You can use emojis. 
• All-caps headlines for the English language are not supported. 

4. Additional Notes From Snapchat

• Tile is required for a Story ad only if the placement is automatic or in Discover Feed.
• Text in your tile image should not appear near the top or bottom of the image, as it may overlap the Logo, CTA, etc. 
• If your Story ad includes a CTA, then the text you provide for the image should respect the 175px and 269px buffer zones at the top and bottom, respectively. Additionally, the text in the image should be placed within a 300px width and 128px height safe zone to ensure it doesn’t appear outside the screen.

To understand this point better, we recommend checking the image below, which shares Snapchat safe zone guidelines for Story ads: 

Story asset deliverables 

1. 1-10 Single-Image or Video ads that you must provide as separate files for flighting. 

• The duration of every single-image or video can be a maximum of 180 seconds. 
• The ad must comply with single-image or video ad specifications. 

2. Attachments that you can add to those single-image or video ads include WebView, App Install, and Deep Link.
3. The Brand Name can be up to 32 characters, including spaces. 
4. The headline can be up to 34 characters long with spaces. 

4. Snapchat Collection Ads Specs

Snapchat Collection ads consist of a full-screen single-image or video, along with 2,3, or 4 thumbnail images that appear near the bottom of the screen in a grid-like layout. 

They are best for: 

1. E-commerce marketing
2. ‘Always-on’ advertising that helps you market your business effectively in the market. 
3. Conversion objectives 

Snapchat Collection Ad Thumbnail Specifications: 

1. The files can only be static images in .jpg or .png format.
2. Only 2,3 or 4 square images will be accepted as thumbnail images. 
3. The file size shouldn’t exceed 2 MB for any image. 
4. Accepted Snapchat image size for thumbnails: 160px x 160px

Creative Recommendations 

For Single Image or Video: 

1. Focus on one core (hero) message 
2. Ensure that you add compelling and relevant call-to-actions. 
3. The sound should be purposeful 
4. Branding should appear before 0:02 
5. You should run short-form ads (respecting the ideal 3-5 seconds Snapchat video length limit) to be able to mirror the nature of Snaps. 

For Thumbnails: 

1. Don’t place key elements such as logos, core messages, etc., in the Snapchat safe zone of 450px for Collection ads. 
2. Ensure your thumbnails are clear and specific. 
3. Don’t add too many products to a single thumbnail image. 
4. Your products or visual elements should fill the entire thumbnail. 
5. Don’t stuff the thumbnail with text. 
6. Use different URLs for each thumbnail image to highlight each unique product or feature. 

5. Snapchat Commercials Specs

Snapchat Commercials are video ads that are non-skippable for up to 6 seconds, but can be up to 3 minutes long. They show up within Snap’s curated content and are helpful for delivering important messages to your target audience in an uninterrupted manner and raising brand awareness. 

Design Specifications 

1. Full Screen Canvas 

• 1080px x 1920px 
• Snapchat aspect ratio for Commercials: 9:16
• Scaled proportionally to the original asset 

2. Acceptable Creatives 

• You can use live videos, motion graphic videos, or even stop motion videos
• Audio should always be there 

3. Length 

• Standard Commercials can be of 3-6 seconds. The ad will be non-skippable. 
• Extended Play Commercials can be of 7-180 seconds. In such cases, only the first 6 seconds will be non-skippable. 
• You only get support for Web View and AR Lens attachments.

4. File Format

• Video files can be in .mp4 or .mov and H.264 encoded types. 
• Storage Aspect Ratio (SAR): 9:16
• Display Aspect Ratio (DAR): 9:16
• Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR): 1:1

5. File Size 

• Video files shouldn’t exceed 1 GB

6. Audio

• Should use 2 channels 
• Audio target level – 16 LUFS
• PCM or AAC codec 
• Minimum 192 kbps
• Only 16 or 24-bit is accepted 
• The sample rate should be 48 kHz 

7. Recommendations 

• There should be a single, core message.
• Your branding should be clear and sharp. 
• The sound design should be purposeful. 
• You should capture the attention of Snapchatters quickly. 

Note: Snapchat Commercials can only target the following countries: AE, AU, AT, BE, BH, CA, CH, DE, DK, FI, FR, IE, IN, IQ, JO, KW, NL, NO, NZ, OM, QA, SA, SE, UK, US.

6. AR Lenses Specs 

AR Lenses help you create immersive and interactive ad experiences that Snapchatters can experience through their camera. 

A Snapchat-exclusive format, AR Lenses work well when your advertising goals are boosting brand awareness, engagement, or conversions. 

Snapchat AR Lens Branding Requirements:

1. Your visible logo or brand name is required on Face and World Lenses. 
2. Don’t place your brand logo where it may get covered by UI elements or the carousel at the bottom of the screen. 
3. Ideally, your logo should be placed on the top left or top right corner under the UI elements. 
4. Please note that Snapchat automatically adds a ‘SPONSORED’ tag to the creative. This tag appears for two seconds and does not show in user Snaps.
5. Also, using Snapchat’s Lens Web Builder, you can easily create an AR experience in minutes using hundreds of free objects and animations. 

7.Snapchat AR Filters Specs

With AR Filters, users can add your brand’s interactive filters to their Snaps. They help you increase awareness and drive engagement naturally.  

AR Filter Specifications include: 

Static Filters (Photos) 

1. The composition size can be 945px x 2048px. 
2. The files should be transparent .png and their sizes shouldn’t exceed 300 KB. 
3. Avoid placing key design or brand elements near the screen layout’s top or bottom edges to ensure optimal visibility across all types of devices (with varying ratios). 

Moving Images Filters (Videos) 

1. The composition size should be 720px x 1560px. 
2. The files should be in .gif format. 
3. Video duration should be 1-3 seconds, looping continuously without any defined start or end points.
4. Frame rate can be 2-15 fps, where: 

• The total number of frames should be less than 20, regardless of the frame rate (or as few as possible). 
• If you use all 20 frames, then remember, lower framerate = longer animation, higher framerate = shorter animation. 

5. Strictly avoid overly complex animation styles to ensure that the file is not too big. 
6. Save and export everything once Snapchat approves it. 

Snapchat Safe Zone Requirements 

Safe zones are those areas within your ad creatives that should remain free of key content, such as ad text, logos, prominent visuals, etc., to help prevent them from getting cropped by Snapchat’s UI elements. 

Current Snapchat safe zone specifications for Single image/video ads, story ads, collection ads, and commercials include: 

1. There should be a margin of 6% on both left and right sides. 
2. At least 10% space should be clear at the top. 
3. 15% space should be clear at the bottom of the screen. 
4. Don’t place key elements in the lower 35% area. 
5. Be mindful of the fact that up to 45% of the lower screen may include UI elements. 

Other Snapchat Blogs You Can Read: 1. Cost of Advertising on Snapchat 2. How To Install Snapchat Pixel on Shopify? 3. How to Sell on Snapchat?

Snapchat Ad Restrictions (Format-Wise) 

We already discussed the Snapchat ad specs you should follow for each ad format. Let’s also quickly go through the restrictions for each format, so that your ads never get rejected and perform without any downtimes.

1. Single Image or Video Ad Restrictions 

• Do not misuse Snapchat trademarks, Snapcodes, usernames, etc. 
• Avoid using creatives that are misleading or make false claims. 
• Do not falsely imply or suggest any partnership with Snapchat. 

2. Story Ad Restrictions 

• You should not use plain solid color tiles, images that are of poor quality, or invisible logos. 
• Logos should not be the same color as the tile background image they appear on. 
• Do not submit duplicate creatives. 

3. Collection Ad Restrictions 

• Your thumbnails cannot have a transparent background. 
• You can add text to thumbnails, but they can’t just be text only. 
• Identical thumbnails are also not allowed. 

4. Snapchat Commercial Restrictions 

• Do not use still images, cinemagraphs, or silent videos. 
• Do not emulate Publisher content to mislead users on Snapchat. 
• Avoid using or promoting Snapcodes.

5. Lenses Restrictions 

• You cannot add URLs, QR codes, Snapcodes, etc., within the Lens Creative. 
• Snapchat also prohibits profanity beyond mild abbreviations. 
• Do not use violent content and avoid glorifying weapons too. 

Note: To read more about the restrictions of all Snapchat ad formats, we recommend visiting Snapchat’s help center.

Snapchat Attachment Specifications 

Let’s also look at some of the Snapchat attachment specifications. 

Website Attachment Specifications

1. You must ensure that your destination URL loads properly in browsers such as Safari and Chrome. 
2. Do not place critical ad or branding elements in the bottom 450px and top 150px of the image or video. 
3. We recommend testing your URLs using Snapchat user agent strings through Snapcode previews. 

App Install Attachment Specifications

1. Always provide the correct App ID and store URLs for Google Play and Apple App Store. 
2. Upload a square app icon which has dimensions between 200 x 200px and 2000 x 2000px in PNG format. 
3. Your app should be integrated with an approved mobile measurement partner or Snap CAPI. 

Deep Link Attachment Specifications 

1. App ID and URLs for both Google Play and Apple App Stores should be there. 
2. You are responsible for obtaining rights for the fonts, emojis, etc., that you use in the Deep Link Format Install Card Size. 
3. Don’t place any key ad creative element in the safe zones of 330px at the bottom and 150px at the top. 

Lead Form Attachment Specifications 

1. Through the form, ask for answers to those questions that are valuable for your business. 
2. Add a legal disclosure or marketing opt-in. 
3. Always include a final destination link for users after they submit the lead.

Note: Auto-fill is an automatic feature within the Web View attachment of your Single image or video ads. It doesn’t require any customization or integration from your side. Thus, it doesn’t have specifications as such. For all other attachments and their detailed specifications, you can refer to Snapchat’s help center.

Snapchat Ad Best Practices 

Here are some best practices to follow when running Snapchat ads: 

1. Use Snap Pixel: Using a Snapchat Pixel will enable you to track visitor actions on your websites, understand how your ads are performing, and create effective remarketing campaigns. 
2. Align Creatives with Ad’s Core Message: Ensure that your ad creatives reflect and align with your campaign objective. 
3. Create Ads That Feel Native to Snapchat: Shoot and edit vertical (9:16) videos, keep the first 2-3 seconds engaging, leverage sound effects, music, or voice-overs, and use minimal text as Snapchatters scroll fast. 
4. Target and Test Rapidly: Keep testing different ad variations, hooks, creatives, etc., to get a clear understanding of what’s working well for your brand. Double down on high-performing ad versions to get the best results. 
5. Use Clear CTAs: Always guide users on what to do next through compelling and clear CTAs. If required, add swipe-up prompts to drive website visits, app installs, etc. 

Other Ad Specs Articles: 1. Facebook Ad Specs 2. TikTok Ad Specs 3. PMax Ad Specs

Conclusion 

Following the correct Snapchat ad specs ensures smooth approvals and stronger performance across placements. Use this guide to create compliant, high-impact ads that drive real results for your brand.

FAQs

1. What are the different Snapchat ad placements?

Snapchat ads can appear between User Stories, in Our Stories, and within Publisher content. They also show in Discover Feed, Chat, Spotlight, and AR placements.

2. What is the recommended photo size ratio for Snapchat ads?

Snapchat recommends a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. The ideal full-screen size is 1080 x 1920 px. The minimum image size is 720 x 1280 px.

3. What are the recommended Snapchat ad specs?

In general, you should always use full-screen vertical creatives in 9:16 format, upload videos in .mp4 or .mov with H.264 encoding. And your video file size should always be under 1 GB, and images under 5 MB.

Short videos of 3-6 seconds usually drive better engagement.

5. Which Snapchat ad formats work best for e-commerce brands?

Collection ads perform well for e-commerce. They help showcase multiple products within a single ad, which boosts your chances of driving conversions, as users can explore more options from your inventory.